Newsflash
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Eastern students and their parents carried armfuls of bags and baggage as freshmen arrived on campus to move into their residence halls on Friday, Sept. 1.
From sweaters to iPods, students brought their belongings for what to many is their first time living away from home. “I’m nervous but excited,” said Aiyanna Medeiros of East Hampton. Her sentiments were echoed by many of the freshmen who had long anticipated moving-in day. Although she hasn’t decided her major, Medeiros was drawn to Eastern by its small classes, personal attention by faculty, and sense of community. Medeiros’s mother also was excited: “I let my daughter decide on which school she chose to attend and I’m glad she decided to come to Eastern. It will be the first time she will be sharing a room with someone else and all of this will be an important experience.”
Nick DeMatteo, a sociology major from North Branford, is excited about starting classes and intent on hitting the books. “I plan to work hard to get good grades,” DeMatteo said. “My 8 a.m. classes will motivate me not to stay out late. I know where my priorities are.”
“Be One of Those Mentors”
On Aug. 30, Eastern’s President Elsa Nuñez told new faculty at the New Faculty Orientation, “You and I are both new to Eastern, so you will always be special in my eyes.” Nuñez encouraged new faculty members to explore their opportunities at Eastern, whether it be accessing faculty mentors, using other teaching resources, or enjoying on-campus cultural events such as the upcoming visit by James Earl Jones in October. “If my own experience as a new faculty members 30 years ago is any indication, you will meet some lifelong friends here at Eastern.” The president also left the group with a charge, saying that students improve their chances of success when they make connections with individual faculty mentors — “I want you to be one of those mentors.”
During the new faculty luncheon, 2006-07 Distinguished Faculty Member Imna Arroyo told the audience, “We are here to transform the world and give each other strength. Isn’t it special to be able to spend your career doing something you love?” Arroyo then showed the audience her latest work, a multi-media interpretation of the African Diaspora, “Trail of Bones.”
Special Students at a Special University
More than 1,000 entering freshmen and their parents filled the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium to celebrate this year’s Convocation exercises. Imna Arroyo, 2006-07 distinguished faculty member, encouraged the students to pursue their passion as they take advantage of all that Eastern’s liberal arts education has to offer. Kelsey Watson ’10 of New Hampshire and Sharday Alston ’10 of New Haven received first-year leadership awards for their accomplishments in high school.
Dr. Nuñez told the Class of 2010 that they were special for several reasons. For one thing, they join a small group of students at U.S. colleges and universities attending a public liberal arts college. Noting that the term “liberal arts” came from the Middle Ages (“arts liberales” – Latin) and refers to education that liberates or frees us, President Nuñez said that our free, democratic society depends upon people who can think for themselves and who use their knowledge to make this a better world. “You are also special because we are ‘newbies’ together,” she said. President Nuñez challenged the entering freshmen to work hard so that they join her on stage, in caps and gowns, at the May 2010 Commencement exercises.
University Meeting Launches Academic Year
Thirty-five new faculty and staff were introduced to the university community at the University Meeting held in the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium on Aug. 31. In addition to those introductions, Professor Dan Switchenko was honored for 25 years of service to the University; Retirees Max Ferguson, Eldon Downing, Stephen Frazier, and Donald Avery were recognized; and Marion Callis’ sabbatic leave was announced.
It was the first University Meeting for Eastern’s new president, Elsa Nuñez, and she told the assembled crowd, “When I considered whether or not to take this job, one thought kept returning to me — ‘I could be a member of this faculty. I could teach here.’ And now I am here, and it feels like home.” Nuñez praised the leadership of her predecessor, David G. Carter, and described her administrative team as a strong asset she has inherited. She also recalled her first faculty appointment at Ramapo State College, New Jersey’s COPLAC school, as the beginning of her career-long commitment to the liberal arts. “Ours is a special mission,” she said. “Through offering an education that encourages thoughtful inquiry and independent thinking, liberal arts institutions help keep our free society . . . morally strong.”
The president also announced several initiatives:
• She will be asking the Presidential Search Committee to reconvene as a transition committee to provide guidance and feedback during the first year of her administration.
• Staff and faculty will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey to provide feedback on opportunities and challenges facing Eastern.
• The President’s Inaugural will be March 8-9, 2007.
• A series of Meet and Greet receptions, scheduled for September and October, will provide faculty and staff with opportunities to meet the President and her family.
• The University will implement a strategic planning process this coming spring 2007.
President Nuñez presented Executive Vice President Michael Pernal with a beautiful clock in recognition of his service as interim president earlier this year and for his many years of service to the University.
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